Palaniswami asserts no discussion on Sasikala’s entry into NDA figured in his meeting with Amit Shah

Palaniswami denies discussing Sasikala's inclusion in NDA during his meeting with Amit Shah amid ongoing seat-sharing negotiations.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) categorically asserted the issue of including former interim general secretary V.K. Sasikala in the Dravidian major-led National Democratic Alliance in the State did not crop up in his discussion with Union Minister for Home Amit Shah on Monday (March 2) night.

Ms Sasikala, who had all along been claiming to be the general secretary of the AIADMK, announced last week in Kamuthi of the Ramanathapuram district her decision to launch a party and unveiled the party flag.

Interacting with journalists in New Delhi, Mr Palaniswami said there were chances of some more parties joining the NDA as they were holding talks with the Alliance ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.

It was against this backdrop that the AIADMK general secretary was asked whether Ms Sasikala’s party would be accommodated into the NDA.

Pointing out “our negotiations are going on smoothly for seat sharing,” Mr Palaniswami said “the confusion is only on the other side. Are the Congress and the DMK going to stick together?”

To a question when the seat sharing arrangement would be finalised, he replied that even the poll schedule had not yet been released. Mr Palaniswami added that he had rushed to New Delhi as soon as he was alerted immediately after the conclusion of the NDA’s rally addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Madurai on Sunday (March 1) evening.